Article washing machine



Jan. 7, 1947. E. R. ZADEMACH ETAL I 2,413,853

' ARTICLE WASHING MACHINE Fil ed March 18, 1942 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS Eric/7 RZaa/emach and M'l/iam VL C/ark AT TORNEYS Jan. 7, 1947. E. R. ZADEMACH ETAL 2,413,853

ARTICLE WASHING mcnmm.

Filed March 18,- 1942 e Sheets-Sheet 2 I 1 N VEN TORS [ff/Cf) R. Zademac/r and Wi/l/zrm W C lar/re BY L ATTORNEYS Jan. 7, 1947. E. R. ZADEMACH ETAL 2,413,853

ARTICLE WASHING MACHIflE Filed March 18,1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENVTORS" [rich 1?. Zademach and W/Y/l'd/fl W C/ar/re BY M? AT TORNE YS Jan. 7, 1947.

E. R. ZADEMACH ETAL ,413,853

ARTICLE WASHING MACHINE I e Sheets-Sheet 4 fr/c/I ffi Zademach and l Villl'am VL/ C/ar/re Y M Owen;

\ Filed March 18, 1942 E IN VENTORS AT TORNE Y5 Jan. 7,1947. 4 E. R. zAuBMAcH EIAL 3 ARTICLE WASHING MACHINE Filed March 18, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet e Q N r a Q5 re INVENTO RS f [rich 5. hdemacmmd Ml/iam I4. Clarke BY W9. ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 7, 1.947

ARTICLE WASHING MACHINE Erich R. Zademach, Elizabeth, and William W.

Clarke, Summit, N. J assignors, by mesne assignments, to Metalwash Machinery Company, Newark, N. J a copartnership Application March 18, 1942, Serial No. 435,128

This invention relates to washing machines and is especially directed to a construction suitable for removing gases or vapors, such as steam, fumes or the like from the washing compartment.

The invention is particularly applicable to the type of industrial washing machine in which articles to be washed are suspended in a compartment and sprayed with washing liquid which is discharged at the bottom of the compartment. Incertain operations of this type gases or vapors are given off which are objectionable when allowed to escape from the compartment into the room in substantialamounts. This can of course be prevented by providing a closed compartment, but such an arrangement must include means for opening and closing the compartment and involves substantial delay in introducing and removing the articles.

The general object of the invention is to provide a washing machine of the indicated type in which the washing zone is maintained in open communication with the room for the introduction and removal of articles, and which includes an arrangement for removing gases or vapors from the washing zone without allowing any substantial quantity thereof to escape through the opening. This is in general accomplished by providing a washing compartment with double walls defining a vapor passage which opens at the bottom into the compartment to receive vapor therefrom, and is connected adjacent its top to a vapor discharge or outlet. With this arrangement vapor generated in the washing compartment will travel downwardly with the washing liquid and away from the opening, entering the vapor passage between the walls adjacent the lower part of the compartment and being removed through the outlet.

The vapor discharge space between the walls is advantageously open and in communication with the washing compartment along substantially its entire bottom, which preferably is accomplished by constructing the inner wall or walls with a free bottom margin spaced from the outer wall or walls and above the bottom thereof, leaving the space between the walls open along substantially its entire lower margin. With this arrangement auniform flow of vapor is established, such vapor passing downwardly from the opening and beneath the lower margin of the inner wall into the discharge space in a uniform stream evenlydistributed around the chamber.

The invention includes an arrangement particularly applicable to continuously operating washing machines in which the articles are car- 15 Claims. (Cl. 134-430) ried by an automatic conveyor through an entrance opening into the washin chamber and thence through the washing chamber and out of an outlet opening. This type of machine normally is provided with inlet and outlet openings extending vertically through side walls, and frequently is provided with a slot or other clearance opening in the top through which articles supported by a conveyor are suspended in the washing chamber.

vA feature of the invention is the provision in this type of machine of a vapor removal construction of the indicated type arranged to draw vapor generated in the washing chamber away from such opening. A specific feature is a vapor outlet construction extending vertically adjacent side inlet and/or outlet openings arranged to draw such vapors away from the openings in a more or less horizontal direction, the vapors then being carried downwardly to the discharge passage in the manner already indicated.

The invention also includes certain specific features, such as the provision, in connection with the continuous washing machine above indicated, of an end construction extending around the inlet and outlet openings, and also a discharge duct arrangement associated with the double wall passage and located to maintain relative .uniformity in the downward flow of vapor throughout a relatively long washing chamber.

The double wall construction is moreover particularly advantageous where it is desirable to provide separate inner and outer Walls or surfaces for a washing compartment. This is advantageous, for instance, where the inner wall must be of material resistant to conditions in the washing compartment, while the outer wall is preferably formed of cheaper and structurally stronger material. It also is useful where it is desirable to provide an insulating or heat conserving jacket surrounding the washing space.

Other objects and advantages will appear from theiollowing description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is an end elevation of an automatic washing machine;

Fig. 2 is a central transverse vertical sectional view through the machine on line 22 of Fig. 4;

Fig, 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view on line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a similar view on line 5-5 of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 isa top plan view of another embodiment;

of sheet metal with a suitable structural steel support including frame members 2|. The body 29 is provided in the form illustrated with two parallel washing compartments 22, though obviously any number of such compartments may be included. An end compartment 24, open at the top, connects with each washing compartment at each end.

It will be apparent that the design and arrangement of these compartments may be widely varied, the important feature being the provision of double walls along the sides of each washing compartment 22, arranged for the withdrawal of vapors in the manner above set forth. In the specific form illustrated, body 2|] is provided with a rear wall 26, a front wall 21 and connecting end Walls 28 forming the outside of the washer. Inner walls 29 are supported parallel to and slightly spaced inwardly from walls 26 and 27 to form a continuous passage along each outer wall, and extend upwardly to the tops of compartments 22, which are each provided with a longitudinal top slot 30 through which articles to be washed may be suspended in the compartments.

An inclined side hood plate 3| slopes upwardly from each slot 39 to the adjacent inner side wall 29, and a central hood plate 32 extends from slot 39 in the opposite direction. In the duplex construction illustrated the central hood plates 32 of the two washing compartments are formed from a single sheet of metal, and are connected to the vertical central walls 33 defining the inner sides of the washing compartments and are spaced to form a central vapor discharge passage 35. The margins of plates 3| and 32 along slots 35 are advantageously turned downward to deflect away from the slots any vapor or drops of liquid traveling along or adjacent to the lower faces of the plates toward the slots. The slots 39 are moreover arranged to provide a concentrated downward flow of air that substantially prevents the escape of vapors to minimize the escape of liquid splashed upwardly by impact on articles.

A suitable outlet construction may be provided just below the intersection of the side hood plates 3| with wall 29 to permit egress of any rising vapors which may be trapped in the angles between the plates and walls, the construction illustrated being provided with a series of restricted openings 49 communicating with passages 34; but these bleeder openings 49 are of sufficiently small area to prevent any substantial interference with the flow of vapor downwardly in compartments 22 and into passages 34 and 35. Inner side walls 29 are inclined outwardly for a short distance below the junction with side hood plates 3| to increase the cross section of passages 34 above said junction, openings 40 being advantageously located in the inclined sections 4|. The lower margins of walls 29 and 33 are advantageously defi:cted toward the centers of the washing compartments 22 to provide an enlarged inlet opening into the discharge passages 34 and 35.

A top enclosure or compartment 42 may be pro vided above plates 3| and 32 which define the tops of compartments 22, arranged primarily to provide space for conveying mechanism while preventing the escape of liquid splashed upwardly through slots 39. In the form shown compartmerit 42 is located between upward extensions of inner side walls 29, and top plates 43 extending inwardly from side walls 29. In order to accommodate certain types of feeding and conveying mechanisms, top plates 43 may be spaced at their adjacent edges to form slot 44, which advantageously is located above central hood plate 32 and out of register with slots 30. The inner edges of plates 43 are advantageously deflected downwardly to minimize any upward flow of vapor or liquid through slot 44, and said plates are suitably supported as by webs 45 connected to the plates and the inner side walls 29.

The compartments 24 at opposite ends of the machine are identical in construction, Fig. 5. Each is formed by an inner side wall 49 arranged in substantial continuation of the adjacent washing compartment side wall 29, an inner end wall 50 spaced from the adjacent outer end wall 28 to form an end vapor discharge passage 5| continuous with passages 34, and a vertical central wall 52 in substantial continuation of the corresponding central wall 33, walls 52 at each end partment 22 and the registering end compartmen-ts 24 is arranged to minimize the escape of vapor. A construction is provided which is adapted to eliminate the necessity for curtains or other special vapor-confining structures at these points, and consists generally in the provision of vertically arranged openings connecting the end portions of each washing compartment 22 and the vapor discharge passages 34, 35 at either side, designed to draw into such passages a suincient amountof the air and vapor in the end zones ofeach compartment to prevent objectionable outflow through the vertical connections with the end compartments 24. A simple construction of this type is shown (Fig. 5) in which the inner margins of walls 49 and 52 at a washing compartment end are spaced a slight distance centrally from the adjacent ends of walls 29 and 33 respectively, to provide narrow vertical slots 53 at either side of the adjacent end openings 54 of washing compartment 22. Each of said end openings 54 is advantageously restricted as far as is practicable by compartment end plate 55 extending between walls 49 and 52 and surrounding the vertical end opening 54 except at its upper margin where it connects with slot 30, Fig. 2. The ends of walls 29 and 33 are advantageously spaced from and overlap the ends of contiguous walls 49,52 in transverse register with end plate 55, and the inner margins of walls 49 and 52 eX- tend a short distance into the compartments from plate 55, being deflected laterally to form an enlarged mouth or inlet for each slot 53.

The upper portions of vapor discharge passages 34, 35 and 5| are connected to a suitable vapor discharge system which is constructed to minimize variations in the rate of flow of the vapor at difierent points along the open bottom margins of passages 34 and 35. An eflicient construction of this type is disclosed, in which side discharge passages 34 are closed by top plates 43 except at their ends, where they communicate with end discharge ducts 60, and at intermediate points where they connect with side discharge ducts 6|, the number of discharge ducts connected to each side vapor discharge passage 34 depending upon the length of the machine and the rate of flow through the ducts. Discharge ducts 60 and 6| extend upwardly and centrally into communication with a horizontal central header 62 which communicates centrally with a main transverse outlet duct 63 advantageously provided with a blower 84 arranged to create the desired suction.

The end discharge passage 5! is advantageously closed by slanting top wall 65, Fig. 3, extending to end wall 28 of the body, and an extension of central hood plate 32 overlies the top of central passage 35 between plates 52, extending to end wall 28. A top plate 65a joins the upper portions of walls 52 and extends with the latter to wall 28 above the top wall 65 to form a closed connection between the central vapor discharge passage 35 and end vapor discharge passage 28, through which the vapor is discharged along the latter passage into the end discharge ducts 68.

The disclosed arrangement of washing compar-tments and vappr discharge passages is adapted for use with various types of conveying mechanisms in which the articles to be washed, ordinarily supported on a frame or rack, are lowered into an end compartment 24, carried through washing compartments 22 by conveying means which may travel in top compartment 42 or above said compartment, and are then lifted from the compartment 24 at the opposite end; Such mechanisms are well known and are therefore indicated diagrammatically in Figs. 2 and'3. The conveyor shown includes a pair of endless chains 66 supported above central hood plate 32 between slots 39 and traveling over sprockets 61 on shafts 68 mounted adjacent the end walls 28, one of the shafts 68 being driven through bevel gears 69 by drive shaft Which may extend between walls 52 to a suitable source of power (not shown) located below adjacent end compartments 24. This arrangement is suitable for handling a series of units or groups of articles H each mounted on a hanger 12 adapted to extend upwarly through slot 30 and to hook over an end portion of a supporting bar 13 (Figs. 2 and 3) which is supported by chains 66, the arrangement being such that successive bars 13 each carrying two hangers 12 may be lowered into an end compartment 24 until the bar rests on chain 55, which then carries said bar, hangers and articles lengthwise through the machine and into the opposite end compartments 24, where the bar with its hangers and attached articles is lifted upwardly out of the machine. It will be understood that the discharge ducts 60 and BI are suitably designed to permit the necessary clearance of the article handling mechanism, and in particular extend upwardly as far as is necessary to provide proper clearance.

A suitable spraying construction is provided along the sides of each compartment 22, arranged to direct the washing fluid against articles suspended in the compartment. The form illustrated is arranged for washing such articles by jets of liquid directed inwardly and preferably downwardly from the sides of the compartment, the downward inclination of such jets cooperating with the vapor withdrawal constructi n to carry vapors downwardly away from slots 39 and 44 and toward the bottom inlets into discharge passages 34 and 35. The specific spraying construction shown includes a series of horizontal headers 15 extending along and adjacent to the lower part of each side wall 29, 33 of each compartment 22 and supplied with washing fluid under pressure, each header 15 being connected to a series of upwardly extending spray pipes 16 each provided with a plurality of inwardly and downwardly directed jets or nozzles 11.

A suitable construction is provided for receiving th washing liquid discharged from the bottom of each washing compartment 22. In the form shown this comprises a tank 18 located immediately below compartments 22 in position to receive the spray water from the compartments. Tank 18 is formed by the lower part of rear wall 26, bottom wall 19, end walls 80, which advantageously are substantially in register with end plates 55 of compartments 22, and front wall 8|.

In certain cases it is desirable to arrange the liquid in tank 78 so that it is readily accessible to the operators, and in particular is available for manual washing of articles in the tank if desired. For this purpose tank 18 in the form illustrated extends beyond the front wall 2! of the machine and is provided with a sloping top 82 provided With hinged or removable cover plates 83.

Theliquid in tank 78 may be recirculated to header 15, as by pump 84 and feed line 85 (Fig. 3). End compartments 24 may be arranged to drain into tank 18 any liquid which may drip from the washed articles in said compartments. For this purpose the end compartments at each end of the machine are provided with a bottom plate 88 continuously connected to rear wall 26, front wall 21 and end wall 28, and abutting the bottom edges of inner side walls 49, inner end Walls 59 and central walls 52 to seal the lower margins of the vapor passages 34, 35 and 50 surrounding the end compartments 24. Each end plate 55 rests on end walls 80 of tank 18 and advantageously extends a short distance inwardly from said end walls, the lower edges of washing compartment end plates 55 being slightly spaced from bottom plates 86 to permit water falling on said bottom plates to drain into tank 18.

A modified form suitable for small installations in which the articles are lowered into a washing compartment and raised therefrom after washing is complete, is illustrated in Figs. 6 to 10. This construction includes a tank 89 formed with lateral walls 90 and a bottom 9|. Inner walls 92 are mounted in the tank, as by spacer brackets 93 carried by the outer walls 99, to provide a double wall construction forming a vapor discharge passage 94 which advantageously extends entirely around the periphery of the tank 89. The lower margins of inner walls 92 terminate a substantial distance above the bottom of tank 89 and are spaced from lateral walls 90 to form a bottom entrance into passage 94, the lower edges of walls 92 being advantageously deflected toward the center to provide an enlarged mouth or opening for said passage.

The top of tank 89 is provided with a cover construction arranged with a suitable central opening for the introduction of articles to be washed and extending inwardly from the sides of the tank for a distance sufficient to prevent the escape of any vapor flowing upwardly along the inner walls 92 in the washing compartment 95 defined by said walls. The vapor discharge passage 94 is suitably connected adjacent its upper margin to a vapor discharge system. In the form shown in Figs. 6-9 this is accomplished by providing a cover 96 fitting against the inner face of lateral walls 90 along three sides of the tank 89 and against the inner face of inner wall 92 along the fourth side, extending inwardly and downwardly to a centralopening 91, the margin of cover 96 advantageously being deflected downwardly around said opening for reasons already indicated. In this construction the vapor discharge passage 94 is open at the top along one side of the tank 89, and may be positioned beneath a hood or suitably connected to a discharge duct or passage.

A spray unit is mounted in tank 89 and is arranged around the periphery of the compartment 95 beneath cover 96 in position'to direct the necessary fluid jets against articles suspended in the compartment, advantageously arranged to direct the jets downwardly as indicated in Fig. 9 for reasons already set forth. The arrangement disclosed includes an annular header 98 located immediately beneath cover 95, connected to supply pipe 98 extending through a side of tank 89 and provided with a series of spray pipes. I extending downwardly adjacent inner walls 92 and having suitable jets or nozzles IBI. In this arrangement it has been found that under standard conditions the vapors will tend to pass downwardly in compartment 95 and into discharge passage 94 without requiring the use of air-impelling means to facilitate such flow. This vapor movement is substantially assisted by the use of downwardly directed jets, as well as by the natural downward travel of the liquid. The action may also be assisted by the natural draft of the discharge system, particularly Where hot vapor is discharged.

Tank 89 is provided with a suitable construction for receiving and disposing of liquid discharged froin compartment 95, the illustrated construction being provided with an outlet or drain discharge H32 at the bottom of tank 89.

In the modified vapor discharge shown in Fig. 10, the discharge passage 94 is connected at one side and adjacent the top of tank 89 with a laterally extending vapor discharge duct I03, the removable cover 96 in this embodiment extending to all lateral walls SB and resting on the upper margin of inner walls 92 throughout the periphery of the tank.

For convenience reference has been made herein to vapors; but except where. otherwise indicated, this term is intended to include gases, fumes, steam and suspensions of fine solid or liquid particles in gases or vapors. Moreover, while the invention is particularly advantageous for use in connection with the application of liquids to the articles being treated, certain features may be employed in connection with the treatment of articles with gases or vapors. It is to be understood that references to washing are intended to include any operation in which a liquid is applied to an article in the manner indicated herein.

ie have described what we believe to be the best embodiments of our invention. We do not wish, however, to be confined to the embodiments shown, but what we desire to secure by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for fluid treatment of articles comprising a treatment chamber provided with spaced double walls forming a common vapor discharge passage on two sides of the chamber, the inner wall having a free lower edge throughout a substantial part of the two sides of the treatment chamber, the outer wall extending downwardly beyond the inner wall to form a passage inlet between the walls, and a vapor discharge outlet construction at the upper part of the vapor discharge passage adapted to lead the vapors out of said passage and away from said chamber.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which the lower margin of the inner wall is flared inwardly to form an enlarged inlet to the vapor passage.

3. Apparatus for fluid treatment of articles comprising a treatment chamber, double walls for the chamber forming vapor discharge passages extending along substantially the entire extent of opposite sides of the treatment chamber, an inlet construction connecting the chamber with each passage along substantially the entire length of the lower part of said sides of the treatment chamber, upwardly extending discharge ducts symmetrically connected to said vapor passages at opposite sides of the treatment chamber, and a. common vapor discharge header connected to said ducts.

4. Apparatus for fluid treatment of articles comprising a treatment chamber, an opening extending continuously along the top and into opposite ends of the treatment chamber arranged to permit articles to be conveyed longitudinally through the chamber on overhead supports, fluid discharge nozzles mounted in the chamber, a tank located beneath the chamber and in communication therewith arranged to receive liquid from the chamber, and a compartment at each end of the treatment chamber communicating at its inner end with said chamber, each end compartment being open at the top, enclosed at the sides and outer end and having a bottom arranged to drain into said tank.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim, 4 in which the tank extends laterally into accessible position beyond the chamber.

6. Apparatus for fluid treatment of articles comprising a treatment compartment having outer side walls and inner side walls spaced from said outer walls to form therewith two vapor exhaust passages on opposite sides of said compartment, the lower edges of said inner walls being spaced above the lower edges of their corresponding outer walls to form with said outer walls inlet openings in communication with said compartment, and means for exhausting the vapors downwardly in said compartment and upwardly through said passages and away from said passages, said exhausting means including an outlet in communication with both of said passages.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6, including means in said compartment for treating articles with a liquid spray, and a tank below said compartment in position to receive the spray liquid from said compartment, the lower edges of said inner walls being disposed above the level to which the liquid in said tank is adapted to collect.

8. Apparatus for fluid treatment of articles comprising a treatment compartment having outer side wallsextending substantially parallel and vertical, and inner side walls extending substantially parallel to respective outer walls, and forming therewith two vapor exhaust passages on opposite sides of said compartment, means in said compartment for treating articles with a liquid spray, a tank below said compartment in position to receive the spray liquid from said compartment, the lower edges of said inner walls being spaced above the lower edges of their corresponding outer walls'and above the level to which the liquid in said tank is adapted to collect to form with saidouterwalls inlet openings in communication with said compartment, and means including an outlet in communication with both of said passages for inducing flow of vapors downwardly in said compartment upwardly through said passages and out from said passages away from said compartment, said sidepassages having their lower inlet ends of substantially equal length to effect substantially equal distribution of the vapors in said compartment between said passages.

9. Apparatus for fluid treatment of articles comprising a treatment compartment of substantially rectangular horizontal section, said compartment having an outer peripheral wall and inner walls spaced from said outer wall to form therewith a vapor exhaust passage around all four sides of said compartment, the lower edges of said inner walls being spaced above the lower edge of said outer wall to form with said outer Wall a substantially rectangular inlet opening around said compartment in communication with said compartment, and means for inducing flow of vapors downwardly in said compartment upwardly through said passage and out from said passage away from said compartment.

10. Apparatus for fluid treatment of articles comprising a pair of contiguous treatment compartments having top openings, the partition between said compartments comprising a double wall defining a vapor exhaust passage having an inlet at its bottom connecting with the lower parts of both compartments, and an outlet for removing vapor from said passage away from the apparatus.

11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10, in which the two compartments have outer side double walls on opposite sides of said partition forming vapor removal passages with lower inlets connecting with the lower parts of respective compartments, said apparatus including an outlet for exhausting the vapors from said last-mentioned vapor removal passages.

12. Apparatus as set, forth in claim 10, in which the two compartments have outer side double walls on opposite sides of said partition forming vapor removal passages connected to said vapor exhaust passage, and having lower inlets connecting with the lower parts of respective compartments.

3.3. An apparatus for the fluid treatment oi! articles comprising a treatment chamber having opposite ends provided with a vertical opening, a top provided with a restricted longitudinal opening connecting with the end openings to form a passageway through the treatment chamber for the overhead supports for the articles to ac treated, double wall side walls forming vapor discharge passages connected to the lower part of the treatment chamber, and vapor withdrawal means adjacent the vertical margins of each end opening of the treatment chamber and connecting with the discharge passages thereof whereby to minimize the escape of vapor through the end opening.

14. An apparatus for the fluid treatment of articles comprising a treatment chamber having opposite ends provided with a vertical opening, a top provided with a restricted longitudinal opening connecting with the end openings to form a passageway through the treatment chamber for the overhead supports for the articles to be treated, double wall side walls forming vapor discharge passages connected to the lower part of the treatment chamber, and end compartments in registry with the end openings in the treatment chamber, each end compartment having enclosed sides and open at the to for reception and discharg of articles to be treated.

15. Apparatus for fluid treatment of articles comp-rising a treatment compartment having outer side walls and inner side walls spaced from said outer walls to form therewith two vapor exhaust passages on opposite sides of said compartment, the lower edges of said inner walls being spaced above the lower edges of their corresponding outer walls to form with said outer walls inlet openings in communication with said compartment, means for inducing flow of vapors downwardly in said compartment and upwardly through said passages and out from said passages away from said compartment, said means for inducing th flow of vapors including ducts connected to symmetrical sections of the upper parts of the two exhaust passages, and in which said apparatus includes a vapor discharge header connected to said ducts.

ERICH R. ZADEMACH.

WILLIAM W. CLARKE, 

